Containers with additional functionality

ABSTRACT

The present invention is directed to multipurpose containers in which a variety of items can be stored, such as eyeglasses writing instruments, pills, medicines, thermometers, rulers, note pads, to name a few of the nearly limitless number of items that can be stored. The containers may be provided with writing implements or gauges to measure a parameter, such as a timepiece.

STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 10/002,253 filed Nov. 2, 2001.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to multipurpose containers in which a variety of items can be stored, such as eyeglasses writing instruments, pills, medicines, thermometers, rulers, note pads, to name a few of the nearly limitless number of items that can be stored. The containers may be provided with an item of additional functionality, such as a massage element, a fan, a calculator, personal digital assistant, a radio, an MP3 player, to name a few possibilities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are numerous containers in the prior art that can be used to store items, that may or may not have another purpose associated with it, such as an attached writing instrument, or storing another item, or providing information on a prevailing aspect of the moment, such as temperature or time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention is directed to multipurpose containers and that can be used to store and retain a variety of items, including such items as eyeglasses, medicines, foods, rulers, thermometers, note pads, to name but a few of the possibilities. The containers have an interior space for storing an item, and may be provided with a second interior space for storing a second item, The container may be provided with a writing implement, or it may be provided with a gauge for measuring a parameter. In one non limiting embodiment, the invention is a pair of folding eyeglasses that is transformable into its own compact case.

[0005] While the detailed description relates to a container for eyeglasses, it is immediately apparent that other items can be stored in the containers as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006]FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a container provided with a lighter.

[0007] FIGS. 2-3 are side elevational views of additional embodiments of containers provided with lighters.

[0008]FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a personal digital assistant (PDA) and container of the present invention.

[0009]FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a personal digital assistant and container.

[0010]FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a radio and container of the present invention.

[0011]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a radio and container of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a MP3 device and container of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a MP3 device and container of the present invention.

[0014]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of a calculator and container of the present invention.

[0015]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a calculator and container of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of a utility storage device and container of the present invention.

[0017]FIG. 16 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a utility storage device and container of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 17 is a side elevational view of fan and container of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 18 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a fan and container of the present invention.

[0020]FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

[0021]FIG. 20 is a side elevational view of a digital voice recorder and container of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 21 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a digital voice recorder and container of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0023]FIG. 1 shows a container 10 for storing eyeglasses or other items. The container 10 is with a body 11 defining a cavity in which an item such as eyeglasses can be stored. The container is provided with a cap 12 dimensioned to close the opening 13 of the body 11 positioned at end 14, through which opening 13 the eyeglasses are inserted into the cavity. When the cap 12 is joined to the body 11, the interior space is enclosed. When the cap 12 is removed from the body, the interior space can be accessed, permitting the user to insert or remove the eyeglasses from the space.

[0024] The container is further provided with a lighter 16 at its other end 17. The lighter 16 is provided with a housing 18, and a flint 19, such as a flint mounted on a wheel, and a surface positioned to engage the wheel in frictional contact when the wheel is rotated. When the flinted portion of the wheel and the surface contact each other and the wheel is moved, sparks are formed. When the button 20 is depressed, releasing a flow of butane or other combustible substance, and the wheel is rotated, a flame is produced, which has a duration corresponding to the length of the time that the button is depressed. The fluid can be stored in a cavity (not shown) that is positioned under the housing 18.

[0025] In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the container opens between the end portion 15 and body 11. Body 11 can be provided with rim 11 a that fits within the interior wall of the end portion 15 and forms a frictional fit therewith.

[0026]FIG. 3 shows an alternative arrangement in which the lighter 16 is mounted to a clamshell type eyeglass case. The clamshell-type eyeglass case is provided with an upper portion 20, and a lower portion 22 each of which are joined to each other by a hinge 24. FIG. 6 shows a claim-shell type arrangement for the case wherein the lighter is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body.

[0027] Claim 4 shows an alternative embodiment in which the first end 14 is closed and the opening is provided at the other end 17 where lighter 16 is positioned. Thus the glasses are removed or inserted though the same end 16 where the lighter is located.

[0028]FIG. 5 shows a container for a pair of eyeglasses that is provided with a currency converter. The container is provided with a body 11 defining a cavity having first and second ends 14 and 17, one of which is closed and the other of which is open. As shown in the Figure, first end 14 is closed and second end 17 is open, though it should be understood that the opening could be placed down at the first end 14. The second end 17 can be closed with a cap 12, which when removed from the container provides access to the cavity where glasses or other items can be stored.

[0029] The container 11 is provided with a keypad for entering the information necessary to carry out a currency conversion operation. The container is further provided with a display, such as a liquid crystal display, in order to display information. The converter is provided with a CPU, memory and storage and a power supply (such as a battery) in order to carry out the currency conversions. In addition to being provided with keys necessary to enter numbers and decimal points, the device may optionally be provided with buttons to scroll up and down information displayed on the screen ( such as for example, units of currency). Optionally, the converter and be provided with keys to enter particular units of currency. The converter may also be provided with an enter button, to signify that all data, or data pertaining to a particular step, has been entered. Also, the converter may be provided with a data port, such as a USB port so that current exchange rates can be downloaded to the storage device on the converter.

[0030]FIGS. 6 and 7 show alternative embodiments of the currency converter in which the container is provided with a door or flap 20 that is mounted to the container by a hinge 24. When the door is open the glasses or other items can be inserted through the opening into the cavity, and the door can then be shut. FIG. 7 shows a clam shell type arrangement that is similar to the one shown in FIG. 3.

[0031]FIG. 8 shows a container for storing eyeglasses having a video game device 28 located on the container. The device is provided with a display screen and keypads necessary to operate the device, such as a set of keys arrayed around the perimeter of a larger key pad. The device is provided with a CPU, memory, storage and a power supply (such as a battery) in order to carry out the function associated with the game. These keypads can be used to control the movement of a game piece that appears on the screen. In FIG. 8, the container 10 is provided with a body 11 defining a cavity in which an item such as eyeglasses can be stored. The container is provided with a cap 12 dimensioned to close the opening 13 of the body 11 positioned at end 14, through which opening 13 the eyeglasses are inserted into the cavity. When the cap 12 is joined to the body 11, the interior space is enclosed. When the cap 12 is removed from the body, the interior space can be accessed, permitting the user to insert or remove the eyeglasses from the space.

[0032]FIG. 9 shows an alternative to the FIG. 8 embodiment wherein a clamshell type container as previously described is provided with a game device.

[0033] In the embodiment shown, the container 10 is provided with a portion 22 that is attached to the body 20 by a hinge 24. The PDA is provided with a keyboard 30, display 32, and functionality keys 34. The portion 22 can be opened and closed in order to provide access to the interior of the container. In another arrangement shown in FIG. 8, the container can be provided with an opening in at least one end. A cap or other closure 12 can then be placed over the opening, or removed therefrom, to provide access to the interior of the container.

[0034]FIG. 9 shows a container on which a radio 40 is positioned on the container 10. The radio is provided with the standard controls: an on-off switch 42, a tuner control 44, a volume control 46, band selection, and a tuner display. FIG. 9 shows the container provided with a container body which has an opening at one end through which a the glasses can be inserted and removed from the container. The cap 12 can be placed over the container in order to seal the interior of the container from the outside environment, or, as the case may be, removed to provide access to the interior of the container. FIG. 10 shows a container in a clam-shell arrangement in which a radio is positioned on the container.

[0035]FIG. 11 shows a portable MP3 player in which is positioned on the container 10 is in a clam shell type arrangement. The MP3 player is provided with the conventional controls, including ones that permit track selection, fast forward, rewind, skip forward, skip backward, erase, upload, download, on and off, and volume. The device is also provided with ports that can be used to interface the device to a source from which MP3 's can be transferred, either to or from the MP3 device. FIG. 12 shows the container provided with a container body which has an opening at one end through which a the glasses can be inserted and removed from the container. The cap can be placed over the container in order to seal the interior of the container from the outside environment, or, as the case may be, removed to provide access to the interior of the container.

[0036]FIG. 13 shows a calculator which is positioned on the container that is provided with a clam shell type arrangement. The calculator is provided with the conventional controls, including ones that buttons for digits, mathematical functions, clear, and on/off. It is also provided with a numeric display 52. FIG. 14 shows the container provided with a container body which has an opening at one end through which a the glasses can be inserted and removed from the container. The cap 12 can be placed over the container in order to seal the interior of the container from the outside environment, or, as the case may be, removed to provide access to the interior of the container.

[0037]FIG. 15 shows a utility type device 100 which provides a container having a body 102 for storing eyeglasses in an interior portion, and other compartments 104, 106, 108 110, for holding any of a number of useful items, such as scissors, tweezers, a screw driver, and a pen. The container may also be provided with a flashlight 112 having a light source, an on/off switch 114, and a recess for a power supply, such as a battery. A sidewall portion 116 is joined to the body 102 by a hinge 118. The sidewall can be opened and closes along the hinge. FIG. 16 shows an embodiment in which the container is open and closed with a cap as in every other even numbered embodiment.

[0038]FIG. 17 shows a container 10 for storing eyeglasses or other items. The container 10 is provided with a body 11 defining a cavity in which an item such as eyeglasses can be stored. The container is provided with a cap 12 dimensioned to close the opening 13 of the body 11, through which opening 13 the eyeglasses are inserted into the cavity. When the cap 12 is joined to the body 11, the interior space is enclosed. When the cap is removed from the body, the interior space can be accessed, permitting the user to insert or remove the eyeglasses from the space.

[0039] The container is further provided with a fan 150 at its other end. The fan 150 has a propeller 152 joined to the body 11 by axial pin 156. The body 11 contains a power source (not shown), such as a battery (not shown), that powers a motor that rotates the axial pin 156. Switch 158 turns the motor on and off.

[0040] In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 18, the container opens between the housing 154 and body 11. Body 11 can be provided with rim 11 a that fits within the interior wall of the housing 154 and forms a frictional fit therewith. FIG. 19 shows an alternative arrangement in which the fan 150 is mounted to a clamshell type eyeglass case. The clamshell-type eyeglass case is provided with an upper portion 20, and a lower portion 22 each of which are joined to each other by a hinge 24.

[0041]FIG. 20 shows a digital voice recorder in which is positioned on the container 10 is in a clam shell type arrangement. The digital voice recorder player is provided with the conventional controls and features, such as a microphone 200, a play/stop switch 202 a record switch 204, a volume control 206, a speaker, and jacks for external microphones and speakers 210. FIG. 21 shows the container provided with a container body which has an opening at one end through which a the glasses can be inserted and removed from the container. The cap can be placed over the container in order to seal the interior of the container from the outside environment, or, as the case may be, removed to provide access to the interior of the container. 

I claim:
 1. A container for storing items comprised of a body defining an interior space for storing items, an opening through which the items can be stored in the body and removed therefrom, a closure that having a first open position permitting access to the first interior space and a second closed position closing the second interior space, and a digital voice recorder located on the container.
 2. The container of claim 1 wherein the stored item is a pair of eyeglasses.
 3. The container of claim 1 wherein the opening is closed with a closure element that closes the opening of the container.
 4. A container for storing items comprised of a body comprised of a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion are joined together at a hinge, the first portion and second portion defining an interior space for storing items, that, when in the open state, permits access to the interior of the body, and when closed, closes the interior space, and a digital voice recorder located on the container.
 5. The container of claim 1 wherein the stored item is a pair of eyeglasses. 